Seismological geomorphology: from eroding earthquakes to geomorphic signals
Prof. Niels Hovius, Institute of Earth and Environmental Science, Univsität Potsdam
Outline: At the interface of geomorphology and seismology, patterns of erosion can be used
to constrain seismic processes, and seismological instruments to determine geomorphic
activity. For example, earthquakes trigger mass wasting in proportion to peak ground
velocity or acceleration, modulated by local geologic and topographic conditions. This
geomorphic response determines the mass balance and net topographic effect of
earthquakes. It can also be used to obtain information about the distribution of seismic slip
where instrumental observations are not available. Equally, seismometers can register the
signals of geomorphic processes, revealing their location, type and magnitude. The high
temporal resolution of such records can help determine the exact meteorological conditions
that gave rise to erosion events, and the interactions between individual surface processes
during such events. We will illustrate this synergy of disciplines with examples from active
mountain belts around the world, including Taiwan, Japan, Papua New Guinea and the Alps